Art/Environmental Studies

Lesson Plans

Created by: The Green

TeamHKU 2013

Air pollution in Hong Kong

Air Quality Status Air Pollution Level

API Potential Health Implications

Air quality significantly worse than both short-term and long-term AQO values.

Severe 201 to 500 There may be also widespread symptoms in the general public. These include eye irritation, shortness of breath, coughing, phlegm and sore throat.

Air quality worse than both short-term and long-term AQO values.

Very High 101 to 200 The general public may also notice some discomfort.

Air quality within the short-term AQO values but worse than the long-term AQO values.

High 51 to 100 Very few people, if any, may notice immediate health effects.Long-term effects may, however, be observed if exposed at such level persistently for months or years.

Air quality within all AQO values. Medium 26 to 50 None to the general population.

Air quality well within all AQOs. Low 0 to 25 None to the general population.

LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) taxi/minibus

Lesson plan for senior primary kids

AIR POLLUTION IN HONG KONGLearning Expectations

1. Reasons of air pollution in Hong Kong

2. Relative health implication of different API

3. Air Pollution Effects on Humans in health and economic aspects

4. Our responsibility on Air pollution problem

5. Suggestions to government policy

Case study/Role play

(1) If you were an investor, would you be willing to open your company in Hong Kong? Why or why not?

(2) If you were the tourist, would you be willing to travel to Hong Kong? Why or why not?

News discussion�

Wall effect(1) Some tall buildings in Hong Kong are blamed for making air quality

worse. Why?

(2) Should we ban the construction of such tall buildings? Why?

(3) Can good urban planning solve the problem? Why?�

�

Air Pollution Awareness Lesson

-Introduce a unit on pollution in science or interdisciplinary (general) studies

-Developed for primary level students

-Green roof schools can use these lessons to help students understand how gardening can improve air quality.

Learning Expectations

HOng Kong Curriculum

Topic 1: A Healthy Living EnvironmentConcern and action to improve our living environment

Topic 2: Our Environment, Our ResourcesSub-topic(a): The Environment and IProtecting our environment

Alberta (Canada) Curriculum

Social Studies (K-Grade 3)-Demonstrate a consciousness for the limits of the natural environment, stewardship for the land and an understanding of the principles of sustainability.

-Understand that humans exist in a dynamic relationship with the natural environment

1) Introduction/Anticipatory Set (5min)

a) Check students prior knowledge by asking them what air pollution means.

b) Have the class brainstorm causes of air pollution in Hong Kong. Record student answers in a worlde document http://www.wordle.net.

2)Sharing Purpose

Explain to students that they will be learning about what air pollution is, and how it affects people and what we can do to help.

3) Instruction:

Read the book ”Pollution” by Rhonda Lucas Donald.http://www.amazon.com/Air-Pollution-True-Books-Environment/dp/0516221914

Discuss the definition of air pollution, the causes of it, and how people can help to reduce air pollution.

4) AssignmentExplain to students that the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Agency would like to publish brochures on air pollution to help people better understand the problem. The gov’t has hired you to design a brochure.

3) Instruction

Tell students that the EPA expects to see the following in the brochure:

-A catchy title page -Explanation of what air pollution is-3 causes of Air pollution in HK-3 ways people can help reduce air pollution

5) InstructionHave students plan a rough copy of their brochure, they can do the good copy on a new sheet.

6) Assessment

Something cool to try...You can show that there there is pollution in the air by doing a little experiment.

You will need two plates and vaseline. Create a design on the plates using the vaseline. Place one plate outside and keep the other plate inside. The air pollution particulates from the air will get trapped in the vaseline. There is quite a difference!

Kim AbelesKim Abeles in an artist from America. She has done art/environmental education projects at various schools in the US. Smog has been one source of inspiration for her artwork. Check out “Dinner for Two in one month of Smog”, and “Smog Collectors”.

http://www.kimabeles.com/artPages/smog.html

Kim’s Smog Art Lesson Planthrough Orange County Museum of Art

http://www.ocma.net/pdfs/AS60_Lesson1_WEB.pdf

Kim Abeles discusses her experience working with environmental art and

students.

HK Air Pollution Resources HK Gov’t Air Pollution Indexhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/air/api.htmAir Pollution Indexhttp://www.epd-asg.gov.hk/eindex.htmlFree iPad App for HK Air Pollutionhttps://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/hong-kong-air-pollution/id504536152?mt=8Clear the Air Organization (Hong Kong)http://www.cleartheair.org.hk

Another lesson plan idea…

-Read “Look What I did with a Leaf”by Morteza E. Sully http://www.amazon.com/Look-What-Did-Leaf-Naturecraft/dp/0802774407

-Help students find pictures of animals. Discusshow the different shapes make up the pictures of the animal.

-Go on a leaf hunt, and have students collect leaves to create the look of their animal. Press the leaves in heavy books. Have students put the leaves together to make their animal.

Nature/Art/Gardening Websites

Art Junction

http://web.archive.org/web/20120606184945/http://www.artjunction.org/earth_index.php

Primary nature installations….

http://web.archive.org/web/20120606184945/http://www.artjunction.org/earth_index.php

Free nature journal pages

(accompanies “Keeping a Nature Journal” Book by Clare Walker Leslie)

http://www.storey.com/category_listing.php?cat=Gardening

Real School Gardens (an American Organization)

http://www.realschoolgardens.org

Recommended Books-Good Earth Art by MaryAnn F. Kohl

-Green Crafts for Children; 35 Step-by-Step Projects Using Natural, Recycled, and Found Materials by Emma Hardy

-Eco Art; Earth Friendly Art and Craft Experiences for 3-9 Year Olds by Laurie Carlson

-50 Simple Things Kids can do to Save the Earth by Sophie Javna-Look What I did with a Leaf by Morteza E. Sohi-The Nature Connection; An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families,

and Classrooms by Clare Walker Leslie-Keeping a Nature Journal; Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the

World Around You by Clare Walker Leslie-School Green Roof by Hong Kong Government

Food Systems

http://chge.med.harvard.edu/edu/resource-type/lesson-plans-activities

Where Does Our Food Come From? Exploring Our

Meals Learning Outcome:

�Students will be able to grasp understanding of the fact that any natural and human resources are involved in producing and transporting the food we eat.

BackgroundWhat is your favorite food?

1. Where do you buy the food?

2. How does the food get to that place from question #1? Who was involved?

3. And how does the food get to that place from question #2? Who was involved?

4. And how does the food get to that place from question #3? Who was involved?

Students will complete a similar process using a computer

Many students (and adults) never think about where their food comes from. This is the first step in recognizing the environmental impacts our eating has.

Lesson

Homework / Long-term Assignment :

Students can submit a complete life story of their food items.

Taking Stock & How Do Food Supply Chains Depend on the Environment? Exploring the Case of Chocolate

This lesson looks at how natural, human, and man made resources are needed at each step of the food supply chain, and how if one link of the chain is disrupted, it will affect the entire process

http://www.fieldmuseum.org/chocolate/manufacture_interactive/manufacture.html

.

LessonWhich plants and animals do the ingredients come from?�What do those plants and animals need to live, grow and

reproduce?�Where do they typically live?What kind of climate do they live in?What other plants and animals live nearby?�Why is it important to know the answers to these questions? (Hint:

Consider what might happen if the environment in which the plants and/or animals change in some way.)

What would happen to the food if…..

• There is too much rain • There is too little rain • Ground Water gets polluted • Soil gets contaminated • Certain pollinators die off • The climate is warmer • The climate is cooler • Sea levels rise

How Do Our Meals Impact the Environment? The Case of Hamburgers from Fast Food Chains

●Have you ever eaten a hamburger at McDonalds?

● Using the food chain process discussed earlier, think about what needs to be done for you to eat this hamburger.

● What impact might this process have on the environment?

�Resources:

Where does your meat come from?

http://www.moremeatrix.com/

�Interactive farms to factory farms site

http://www.themeatrix.com/interactive

Lesson Hamburgers are chosen because the supply chain of industrially produced hamburgers has a number of negative consequences on the environment.

what resources are required?

where do those resources come from at each step of the supply chain?

how each step of the supply chain impacts the climate, air, soil and/or water?

what might happen if some of the resources along the supply chain are disrupted?

Reducing our Environmental Impact

How Can We Eat in Ways that Reduce Our Environmental Impact?

What does it mean to eat sustainably?

What are some ways you can start eating sustainably?

How might eating sustainably be challenging, especially in Hong Kong?

Some ways to eat green include:

❏ buying seasonal foods, local foods, and organic foods (except when imported from countries far away)

❏ sustainable seafood❏ fair trade goods (e.g.,

chocolate, coffee)❏ eating less meat and

cheese and eating more vegetables and beans

❏ buying at a farmers market

❏ participating in community-supported agriculture (such as Smiley Planet!)

❏ Many individuals and organizations are now working to build sustainable food systems.

Resources

Low Carbon Diet Calculatoravailable from the Bon Appetit Management Company

http://www.eatlowcarbon.org/

Message:These lessons are designed to help students think about their impact on the environment and how they can change their habits for a better future.

They can choose to make more environmentally friendly food choices, and find an urban farmer near them to help them make the change our world needs!